All major operations in region Europe ready for ISO 14001 certification (by end of 2017).

Buy-back programs for mobile devices established in region Europe (by end of 2017).

10 percent lower energy consumption per subscription equivalent*.

33 percent lower CO2 emissions per subscription equivalent.

* Subscription equivalent is based on energy consumption for different subscriptions – from low consumption M2M subscriptions to high consumption 4G mobile or IPTV subscriptions. Targets are based on total energy consumption and scope 1 + 2 emissions.

The challenge

ICT is a key factor in managing global challenges related to climate change, resource and energy scarcity, and the circular economy.

Telia Company’s negative environmental impacts come from the production of consumer and network equipment, from construction, maintenance and running of the networks, and from waste generated at all steps in the lifecycle. We need to continue decoupling negative environmental impact from the exponential increase in data volumes through our networks and the rolling out of new technologies and fiber. Our customers increasingly expect us to be proactive in our work and in delivering solutions to help them reduce their own environmental impacts.

Our approach

Energy, GHG emissions and electronic waste are the main environmental impacts to manage, in our own operations and in the value chain. We are working towards ISO 14001 environmental management system (EMS) certification in all markets, which not only helps us manage environmental impacts but also reduce costs associated with energy and waste.

We offer mobile device buy-back programs, where the devices we buy back either is sold to an environmentally certified agent for scrapping or refurbishment and further use. This ensures maximum lifespan and usage of the devices.

Around half of the electricity we purchase comes from renewable sources, either directly from the electricity provider or through purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates. This enables us to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by over 50,000 tons.

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The GeSI SMARTer2030

The GeSI SMARTer2030 report (smarter2030.gesi.org) released ahead of COP21 in Paris highlights that in 2030, ICT will have the potential to hold global greenhouse gas emissions at 2015 levels while maintaining economic growth. ICT has great potential of increasing efficiency in, for example, agriculture, transportation and electricity distribution. According to the report, the ICT industry has a GHG emissions abatement potential close to ten times its own emissions.